Thursday, 5 March 2026

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:22): My question is for Minister Tierney, who I believe represents the Minister for Environment in the other place. A 1080 pest animal baiting program is scheduled to run from 1 March 2026 to 1 July 2026 across public land in the Gippsland and Hume regions. Hound hunters regularly exercise their lawful right to hunt sambar deer with scent-trained hounds and gundogs across these public land areas. The timing, method and administration of this baiting program raises serious concerns. The department’s own communications acknowledge domestic animals, particularly dogs, are susceptible to both primary poisoning through direct ingestion of 1080 and secondary poisoning through the consumption of contaminated carcasses. This risk is acutely elevated for hounds used in sambar deer hunting. My question is: will the minister suspend all 1080 baiting programs before and during the 2026 hound hunting season?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:23): I thank Mr Bourman for his question in relation to 1080. That matter will be referred to the Minister for Environment, and he will provide a response consistent with the standing orders.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:24): I thank the minister. Despite years of representations to DEECA and other government departments on this issue, no meaningful preventative measures have been implemented. The administrative controls currently in place have proven wholly inadequate – specifically, a lack of integration and insufficient lead time, often only days before programs commence. Signage in baited areas is improper, inconsistent and frequently absent. The maps and web links provided in notifications have been at times non-functional or inaccessible to the public. Minister, if you cannot suspend this round of baiting on public land, will you ensure that basic procedures and standards are adequate to ensure hunters can plan for the safety of their hounds?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:24): Again I thank Mr Bourman for his supplementary, which will be referred to the Minister for Environment for a response.